Bee Propolis, also called "bee glue," is a resinous, gummy substance
collected by bees from flowers, buds, and exudates of plants that bees combine with wax to
construct and maintain their hives. Due to its waxy nature and
mechanical properties, bees use propolis in the construction and repair of their
hives for sealing openings and cracks and smoothing out the internal walls and
as a protective barrier against external invaders like snakes, lizards, and so
forth, or against weathering threats like wind and rain. Bees gather propolis
from different plants, in the temperate climate zone mainly from poplar.
It is a popular folk medicine possessing a
broad spectrum of biological activities related to its chemical composition and
more specifically to the phenolic and flavonoid compounds that vary in their
structure and concentration depending on the region of production, availability
of sources to collect plant resins, genetic variability of the queen bee, the
technique used for production, and the season in which it is produced.
In laboratory and animal tests, bee propolis has exhibited a variety
of interesting antimicrobial and anti-tumor properties along with hints of
possible cardioprotective, vasoprotective, antioxidant, antiatherosclerotic,
anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic actions.

What's in this superfood?
Propolis is a mixture of resin, essential oils and waxes mixed with bee glue.
It it contains amino acid, minerals, ethanol, vitamin A, B complex, E, pollen and highly
active ingredients known as flavonoids or bioflavonoids.

Bee Propolis Extract 500 mg
pill
Propolis has been traditionally used for its natural
disinfecting properties. Valued for centuries, these products are used for
energy enhancement and support of general health. Our bee products are
stringently tested for purity and potency and gently processed to retain
delicate nutrients. This is a natural resinous mixture produced by honey bees
from substances collected from parts of plants, buds, and exudates.

Benefits
Propolis has been used since ancient times in folk medicine.
Laboratory
studies also show that propolis has anti-tumor effects. An ointment made of
propolis is able to heal genital herpetic lesions (see below). In addition,
bee propolis can enhance the immune system and the flavonoids in propolis act as
antioxidants. Propolis may even play a role in stomach ulcer prevention.
However, since human studies are in short supply, we don't know the full benefit
or side effect profile of propolis ingestion as a supplement for prolonged
periods.

Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2013. Propolis: a wonder bees product
and its pharmacological potentials. Current antimicrobial applications of
propolis include formulations for cold syndrome (upper respiratory tract
infections, common cold, and flu-like infections), wound healing, treatment of
burns, acne, herpes simplex and genitalis, and neurodermatitis. Worldwide
propolis has a tremendous popularity, but in India the studies over propolis
have just started, not extensively reported except few regions of India like
Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujrat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Antibacterial
Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of
propolis collected by three different races of honeybees in the same region.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2005.
The chemical analysis and antibacterial activity of three types of propolis
collected three different races of Apis mellifera bee in the same apiary were
investigated. Propolis samples were investigated by GC/MS, 48 compounds were
identified 32 being new for propolis. The compounds identified indicated that
the main plant sources of propolis were Populus alba, Populus tremuloides and
Salix alba. Ethanolic extracts of propolis samples showed high antibacterial
activity against Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus), but had a weak
activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa) and yeast (Candida albicans). Propolis sample collected by Apis
mellifera caucasica showed a higher antibacterial activity than collected by
Apis mellifera anatolica and Apis mellifera carnica.

Antifungal
Inhibitory effect of bee pollen and propolis extracts.
Nahrung. 2004.
Bee pollen and propolis were collected from Apis mellifera colonies in five
regions of Turkey. The antifungal properties of methanol extracts of pollen and
propolis (2% and 5% concentrations) were determined on Alternaria alternata and
Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. melonis. The least active concentration towards the
tested fungi was 2% concentration of both extracts. The inhibitory effect of all
bee propolis extracts on growth of F. oxysporium and A. alternata were generally
higher when compared with bee pollen extracts. The growth of A. alternata and F.
oxysporium were not affected at both concentrations of pollens. However, F.
oxysporium against propolis extracts was more sensitive than A. alternata. None
of the bee pollen extracts tested completely inhibited mycelial growth of fungi
used in our experiment. Percent inhibition of both pollen concentrations against
A. alternata and F. oxysporium was lower than 50%. It is suggested that high
concentrations of propolis extract could be used as an antifungal agent against
tested fungi.

Antioxidant
Bee propolis contains antioxidant
compounds, flavonoids such as
chrysin, and animal research has suggested it has anti-tumor properties.

Comparison of bee products based on assays of antioxidant capacities.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2009.
Bee products including propolis, royal jelly, and bee pollen are popular,
traditional health foods. We compared antioxidant effects among water and
ethanol extracts of Brazilian green propolis, its main constituents,
water-soluble royal jelly, and an ethanol extract of bee pollen. On the basis of
the present assays, propolis is the most powerful antioxidant of all the bee
product examined, and its effect may be partly due to the various caffeic acids
it contains. Pollen, too, exhibited strong antioxidant effects.

Aphthous stomatitis
Recurrent aphthous
stomatitis is a common, painful, and ulcerative disorder of the oral cavity
of unknown etiology. Propolis may be effective in decreasing the number of
recurrences and improve quality of life in patients.

Genital herpesA comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of
propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes (HSV).
Phytomedicine 2000.
Ninety men and women with recurrent genital HSV type 2 participated in a randomized,
single-blind, masked investigator, controlled multi-centre study comparing the efficacy of
ointment of Canadian propolis containing natural flavonoids with ointments of acyclovir
and placebo (vehicle) on healing ability and capacity to remedy symptoms. Treatment was intended to start in the blister
phase. All participants had HSV type 2 isolated, confirmed by serum immunoglobulin levels.
The participants were examined on the 3rd, 7th and 10th days of treatment by
gynaecologists, dermatovenerologists or urologists at seven different medical centres.
Apart from clinical symptoms the number and size of the herpetic lesions were noted. At
each examination the lesions were classified into four stages: vesicular, ulcerated,
crusted and healed. The study ointments were applied to affected areas four times daily.
In women with vaginal or cervical lesions a tampon with the appropriate ointment was
inserted four times daily for 10 days. Endpoint variables were healing time and time until
loss of symptoms. On Day 10, 24 out of 30 individuals in the propolis group had
healed. In the acyclovir group 14 out of 30 and in the placebo group 12 out of 30 had
healed. The healing process appeared to be faster in the propolis group. In the propolis
group 15 individuals had crusted lesions on Day 3 compared to 8 individuals in the
acyclovir group and none in the placebo group. On Day 7, 10 participants in the propolis
group, 4 in the acyclovir group and 3 in the placebo group had healed. At the
initial examination all patients had local symptoms and 28% general symptoms. Of the women, 66% had vaginal superinfections of microbial pathogens
at the initial examination. In the acyclovir and placebo groups no change in the vaginal
flora was found following treatment whereas in the propolis group the incidence of
superinfection was reduced by 55%. An ointment
containing flavonoids appeared to be more effective than both acyclovir and placebo
ointments in healing genital herpetic lesions, and in reducing local symptoms.

Giardia
infection
This bee propolis study was done in mice.
Would propolis supplements be also effective in humans?

Effect of propolis versus metronidazole and their
combined use in treatment of acute experimental giardiasis.
J Egypt Soc Parasitol. 2007. Faculty of
Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
One hundred and fifty immunocompetent mice were orally infected by 5 x 10(5)
axenically cultivated Giardia lamblia trophozoites. The trophozoite count in
intestine, interferon-gamma serum level, histopathological examination of
duodenal and jejunal sections were assessed for evaluation of propolis and
metronidazole (MTZ) effect after 6 and 12 days post infection. Propolis as
prophylaxis showed a significant decrease in intensity of infection, together
with a significant increase in IF-gamma serum level and increase in CD4+:
CD8+T-cell ratio. In treatment it gave a highly significant decrease in
trophozoite count than that obtained by metronidazole 6 days after infection but
the efficacy was almost equal after 12 days. The mice treated with propolis
alone showed a reversed CD4+: CD8+ T-lymphocyte ratio, such strong immune
enhancing effect resulted in an undesirable increase in inflammatory response at
intestinal level. The combined therapy showed a stronger efficacy in reducing
the parasite count than that gained by each drug alone.

Gout
Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity and hypouricemia
effect of propolis in rats
Yakugaku Zasshi. 2005.
The xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitory activity of propolis
from China and Brazil was measured. Both products were seen to have XOD inhibitory
activity. These results suggested that a
continuous intake of propolis may be effective for the prevention and the
treatment of gout and hyperuricemia.

Hepatitis and liver health
Effects of Cuban red propolis on galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rats.
Pharmacol Res. 1997; Rodríguez S, Ancheta O, Ramos ME, Remírez D. Electron Microscopy Laboratory, National Center for Scientific
Research, Havana, Cuba.
Using transmission electron microscopy and biochemical analysis, the effect of
cuban red propolis against hepatitis induced by 1,000 mg kg-1 of galactosamine
in rats was studied. An ethanolic extract of propolis was prepared and it was
given to rats at doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg kg-1, 30 min before the hepatotoxin.
Propolis extract prevented hepatocytes alterations induced by galactosamine. It
was mainly seen in rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, nucleus and
plasma membrane of hepatocytes. Propolis extract induced reversion of the
increased activity of alanine aminotransferase and malondialdehyde concentration
in the serum of rats treated with galactosamine.

I just went through the benefit of propolis on your web
site, and it said it will help with hepatitis. I'm wonder how much and how many
time a day should I take.
We are not aware of human studies so it is difficult to know
what types of liver conditions this product would help, and if it does so what
the ideal dosage would be.

I am a hepatitis B carrier for many years. Last
summer before taking various bee propolis extracts, my ALT was 171 IU/ml and my
hepatitis virus count was 56,000,000 copies/ml. I started taking bee
propolis extracts since last Dec. 2007. My
blood test results in April, 2008 were a big surprise to me and my physician. My
ALT was 33 and my virus count was 19,000 copies/ml. I'll continue to take
propolis extracts to see if my virus count will go to near undetectable. I feel
better and look better also.
This is quite interesting.

Immune enhancementProphylactic effectiveness of propolis for immunostimulation: a clinical pilot
study
Forsch Komplementarmed 1999The aim of this pilot investigation was to show the evidence of the
prophylactic immune enhancing effectiveness caused by propolis. The immune
response was determined by the measurement of the cytokine level in vivo and ex vivo
(TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8). Ten healthy
test persons aged between 18 and 45 years received Propolis XNP. Probands received over 13 days
500 mg Propolis XNP (2 capsules) for peroral application in the morning.
Although the cytokine plasma levels did not significantly change during the study, propolis led to a significant increase of both the spontaneous (TNF-alpha;
IL-6, IL-8, IL-1beta, not detectable) and LPS(lipopolysaccaride)-induced (TNF-alpha;
IL-6; IL-8; IL-1beta) cytokine secretion capacity following short-term ex vivo culture of
peripheral blood leukocytes. The prophylactic
application of propolis led to a time dependent enhanced immune reactivity without
undesired side effects.

Multiple sclerosisCould bee propolis help someone who suffers with multiple
sclerosis?
I don't know. I have not seen any studies regarding its association with
MS.

Warts in the skinWarts are common problems
affecting adults and children. Multiple treatment options are available, but no
single therapy stands out as uniformly effective. Propolis and Echinacea are
relatively safe immunomodulators with antiviral properties. The purpose of this
study was to assess the efficacy of Propolis and Echinacea in treating different
types of warts. In a single-blind, randomized, 3-months trial, 135 patients with
different types of warts received oral Propolis, Echinacea, or placebo. In
patients with plane and common warts treated with Propolis, cure was achieved in
75% and 73% of patients, respectively. These results were significantly better
than those associated with Echinacea treatment or placebo. We conclude that
Propolis is an effective and safe immunomodulating therapy for plane and common
warts. Int J Dermatol. 2009. Propolis as an alternative treatment for
cutaneous warts. Zedan H, Hofny ER. Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut,
Egypt.

I'd like to buy bee propolis but am concerned about
allergic reactions. Is there a test to determine if you're allergic to bee
propolis? If you don't react to bees stings, bee products, or propolis salve
applied topically is that an indication of anything. Also, I've heard of people
developing severe allergic reactions after prolonged use, when the user would
tend to feel comfortable with the product. Thanks for your advice. (I wouldn't
be concerned except that I've heard the allergic reactions can be severe).
If a person is not allergic to bee stings, bee products or propolis salve, their chances of being allergic to bee propolis
as a supplement is significantly reduced. However, there are no 100 percent
guarantees. One option is to take small amounts, at least initially, and it is
often a good idea with most supplements to take breaks from use.